Free positioning hinge

Abstract

A free positioning hinge for connecting a stator element and a rotary element includes a sleeve, a rotary shaft, and a friction element. The sleeve has a coupling portion for coupling with the stator element and a mating portion opposite to the coupling portion having an axial hole defined therein. The rotary shaft has a connecting portion for connecting with the rotary element and an engaging portion opposite to the connecting portion for pivotally installed in the axial hole. The engaging portion includes a pivot and at least two retainers. The friction element includes a plurality of annular pads. The annular pads are disposed on the pivot and located between the retainers. The engaging portion of the rotary shaft together with the annular pads disposed thereon is inserted into the axial hole of the sleeve.

1 . A free positioning hinge for connecting a stator element and a rotary element, comprising: 
 a sleeve having a coupling portion for coupling with the stator element and a mating portion opposite to the coupling portion having an axial hole defined therein;    a rotary shaft having a connecting portion for connecting with the rotary element and an engaging portion opposite to the connecting portion for pivotally installed in said axial hole, the engaging portion including a pivot and at least two retainers; and    a friction element including a plurality of annular pads;    wherein the annular pads are disposed on the pivot and located between the retainers, the engaging portion of the rotary shaft together with the annular pads disposed thereon is inserted into the axial hole of the sleeve.    
     
     
         2 . The free positioning hinge as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said sleeve further has an annular recess defined in an inner surface of the axial hole, and said rotary shaft further has an annular projection formed around one of the retainers for engaging with the annular recess.  
     
     
         3 . The free positioning hinge as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the annular pads are formed from rubber.  
     
     
         4 . The free positioning hinge as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each of the annular pads has an internal diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the pivot and an external diameter that is larger than a diameter of the axial hole.